Aids for SI...

No probs Claire!

Excerpt from a recap of aids for SI from my book revision:

Logical aids for shoulder-in

Shoulders/hips

For shoulder-in, I teach the aids that others use for turning. Because it is the horses outside shoulder which leads in shoulder-in, the rider's shoulders need to turn slightly to the inside, so that the outside hip points down the track in the direction of the movement. Remember, however, that the hips must not be fixed and immobile, which would block the horse's forward movement, but must still dip and rise with the undulations of the horse's back, the outside hip advancing with the horse's outside shoulder. Many riders concentrate so hard on the rest of the aids that they sit stock still - and then wonder why the horse does not move either! The seat should not, however, make an exaggerated diagonal slide in the saddle at each stride. Some riders appear to be trying physically to push the horse sideways with their own seat.

Legs
When the inside leg is used correctly with the swing of the horse’s belly, this will automatically take the outside hip in a forwards and diagonal direction with the angle of the movement in shoulder in and lateral engaging steps. In travers, renvers and half pass, the outside leg used with the swing of the belly, will take the rider’s inside hip in a forwards and diagonal direction, mirroring the angle of the horse’s shoulders.

Hands
Inside hand slightly raised, flexes horse to the inside, sufficiently only to see inside eye and nostril. Outside hand lowered against the base of neck nudges against the neck, to tell the horse ‘move your forehand in from the track’. Ultimately I would want to be able to ‘give’ the inside rein, and not lose the bend- truly being able to ride the horse ‘inside leg to outside rein’.